Extreme Weather
Extreme weather is often the cause of distress situations. Many disasters could have been avoided by reducing the speed and by heaving-to in time.
Extreme weather is often the cause of distress situations. Many disasters could have been avoided by reducing the speed and by heaving-to in time.
- Inform Master and crew
- Reduce speed
- Close watertight doors
- Secure all loose items on deck, in the accommodation and in the engine room
- Manoeuvre vessel in view to prevent damages and ensure seaworthiness (vessel and cargo)
- Observe weather conditions and log any changes
- Inform Company and if necessary any third party
- Contact radio station for further details on weather evaluation
- Inspect regularly
- doors
- cargo lashing
- equipment
- cranes
- lifeboats and life rafts
- etc.
- Good care has to be taken not to be alone, to be secured and to be on continuous radio (e.g. walkie-talkie) contact once outside the accommodation
- Consider stability of the vessel (e.g. : fill up slack ballast tanks)
- Record in logbook of all measures taken and inform regularly the Company about the situation
Pierre Deseck